If you’ve always wanted to take a spin on a pottery wheel, Foelber Pottery Gallery & Studio offers classes that will give you a chance to do just that. This friendly, welcoming pottery studio welcomes aspiring sculptors of all ages, from the youngest children to inexperienced adults and even longtime, experienced artists.

Enter the arched doorway of the tree-shaded building and you’ll find a large, open gallery area displaying beautiful sculptures created by on-site artists. There are frequent exhibits and gallery openings featuring local sculptors, as well as outdoor festivals during the fall. If you want to try your hand at creating your own pottery, Foelber Pottery also hosts classes taught by experienced artists and private parties that make fun bonding activities for your friends or family.

For a complete list of upcoming events at Foelber Pottery or to sign up for a class, visit the studio’s website.

If you haven’t updated your ‘do in a long time, make an appointment at cutLoose in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Here, expert stylists get to know your hair and your preferences before picking up the scissors. They specialize in innovative styles and have the training and technique to do your ‘do right. You’ll walk out with a style that works for your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle, rather than an unflattering or sad attempt you might get elsewhere.

Despite the salon's excellent reputation and loyal client base, it’s easy to get a quick appointment here. Prices are steep, but you get what you pay for; most clients return time and again for years.

FIT members aren't scrambling to get in and out of the gym. Unlike the crowded, uncomfortable atmosphere you'll find at most cookie-cutter gyms, FIT cultivates an ambiance that makes guests want to stay a while.

Perhaps it's the free Wi-Fi offered in a comfortable lounge. Or maybe members stick around for the steam rooms and saunas where they can unwind after a workout. Of course, it could also be the FIT cafe, where desktop computers are open for checking e-mail, low-fat meals and smoothies are served, and fitness apparel and supplements are sold.

No matter the reason, exercisers often seem to stick around around working out on FIT's state-of-the art cardio and strength equipment. That is, if they decide not to attend one of the popular Group X fitness classes. From Pilates and "Hard CORE" classes to cycling and INSANITY sessions, the group workouts get attendees sweating alongside friends.

Any old-school music lover will tell you that vinyl is the only real way to listen to your favorite records, and Houston’s Vinal Edge Records is one of the best places in town to pick up records both new and used.

This locally owned, independent record store has served the Houston area since the 1980s, and its extensive inventory spans all genres. Whether you’re into heavy metal, rap, country, or anything in between, you’re sure to find an affordably priced record in the stacks at Vinal Edge. (There’s even a 99-cent record bin filled with hidden treasures!) If you’re looking for a place to talk music with the locals while flipping through hundreds of vintage records, you should certainly plan a visit to Vinal Edge Records.

Vinal Edge Records is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

It's easy to miss tiny Southside Espresso–it's tucked behind other shops in a Montrose plaza–but regulars say this little coffee house is definitely worth seeking out. Southside Espresso offers everything you need to start your day off right. Order a double shot of espresso, either straight up or mixed with a bit of foamy, steamed milk, then grab a chocolate croissant or blueberry muffin for the road.

Southside Espresso is also a good place to linger if you've got the time. Free Wi-Fi makes it easy to catch up on email or get a bit of work done, while the shop's specialty drinks, like the sweet potato latte or cardamom and clove spiked latte, are ideal for slow, leisurely sipping. A variety of house-made syrups complete the shop's flavor possibilities, and a line-up of beers and wines rounds out the evening possibilities at this hotspot.

Whether you’re looking for a new place for your morning jog or an outdoor area where you can play pickup baseball with friends, you’ll find all types of outdoor activities at Bear Creek Pioneers Park. This spacious, well-maintained park spans 2,168 acres of beautiful Texas landscape, and it features convenient paved roads and parking lots that make it easily accessible for visitors.

Once inside the park, you’ll find miles of walking and jogging paths, as well as equestrian trails for horseback riders. Tennis courts and volleyball courts are perfect for a pickup game, while soccer, baseball, and softball fields offer places for local leagues to play. Take a visit to the small zoo to visit the emus, ostriches, and buffalo, then venture over to the wildlife habitat to check out the area’s local wildlife inhabitants.

Though Houston may be a sprawling metropolis, it provides ample opportunities for locals to get outdoors at parks like Discovery Green. This modern green space and community hub hosts beautiful gardens, playgrounds for the little ones, and an ever-changing array of inspirational outdoor art installations.

The park’s large pond is often used for canoeing around Houston’s beautiful cityscape, while in the winter, it doubles as an outdoor ice rink for visitors of all ages to enjoy. There are sprawling green spaces where people can play catch or enjoy a picnic, walking paths for those who want to get a bit of exercise, and even a dog park where you can take your furry friend. Discovery Green contains a few different restaurants on its grounds, and there are also areas where the park hosts live music performances, outdoor movies, and festivals during the summer months.

For a full list of happenings at Discovery Green, visit the park’s website!

Art fans in the Houston area love visiting the First Saturday Arts Market, a family-friendly event that features works from some of the area’s best visual artists. This outdoor market is held in the charming Historic Houston Heights neighborhood, and it features live music, food trucks, and grassy areas for lounging before or after you explore the stunning works of art.

Wander through the market and you’ll find white, tented booths filled with works by almost 50 different artists, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and even handmade artisan crafts. All of these items are available for purchase at reasonable prices, so this makes a great place to visit if you’re looking to fill you walls with local art. Stop by to have an affordable lunch, check out live, local music and maybe even bring home a new painting to hang on your wall.

Whether you’re looking for a tasty dessert for an upcoming birthday party or a large cake for the wedding of your dreams, Alma’s Cakes is a dependable choice in the Houston area. This beloved bakery made its debut in 1999, and it quickly earned a loyal following through custom cakes and its delicious tres leches cake, the signature offering of the bakery's founder and lead baker, Alma.

At this family-owned bakery, you can order a cake in almost every theme imaginable, from poker-themed cakes decorated with cards and poker chips to fondant baby shower cakes covered in cartoon birds and bassinets. In addition to the famous cakes, you’ll find freshly baked pies, Mexican pastries, and sweet breads made from fine ingredients. Don't skip a slice of the caramel pecan roll!

Alma’s Cakes is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Boomtown Coffee is a hip and friendly coffee shop that’s well-liked by coffee aficionados, but just as welcoming for those who don’t know a thing about their morning brew. If you like good coffee in an unpretentious atmosphere, you’ll love this bright and sunny café that contains its very own artisan coffee roaster on site. All of Boomtown's unique coffees are sourced from responsible growers and importers and roasted right in the shop to ensure the freshest, most flavorful cup possible.

If you get hungry while visiting, Boomtown Coffee also offers a complete menu of café favorites, including daily quiche, breakfast tacos, and homemade granola for breakfast, hearty soups, and croissant sandwiches for lunch and many vegan and vegetarian options for those with restricted diets.

Whether you’re meeting a friend or catching up on work, Boomtown Coffee is a great place to get caffeinated.